A Share Trader’s Journey: Changing Direction

By Craig Fisher

What made me become a share trader? Having an early mid-life crisis in my thirties, I came to the realisation that the career path I had been blindly following for many years was not fulfilling me at all. As a result, I started to look for something else, but had no real idea in which direction I wanted to now travel, especially as far as employment was concerned.

During my search for career change ideas and potential businesses to start, I came across several advertisements for share trading software or stock market newsletters. I had previously had reasonable results buying shares and holding them for a while so the idea of trading appealed to me.

I decided to make trading my business part-time whilst I continued to work. After all, how hard could it be?

Initially I started share trading using fundamental analysis. I subscribed to a stock market newsletter written by a very well known broker. Many of his trades were successful, but I was frustrated by the timing as sometimes we would sit in a position for a long period before the position moved. I also realised that to consistently read the amount of material that was necessary for this type of analysis was going to be a monumental challenge. Furthermore, I had decided that the particular broker gleaned much of his information from industry and personal contacts and to replicate that, was not possible in my world.

I then attended a stock trading seminar that was advertised and changed to technical analysis. Naivety got the better of me and I succumbed to the slick sales presentation, and promptly outlayed a small fortune for some share trading software, education and unlimited ongoing support. Little did I know at the time that some of those who were supporting and guiding me were as green as I was, but that soon became apparent.

Short term trading appealed to me as I was looking for regular income, and so began several years in the beginner’s cycle as I explored every indicator in the share trading software package and skipping from method to method. I also began reading share trading books voraciously, stubbornly refusing to listen to those that suggested I did not have enough capital or should start off trading shares first. No, I listened to the spruikers who said I could start with not much capital, trade warrants and create an income in a hurry. I was sold, and believed, the dream.

After some good results, I even gave up my job to trade from home; I worked in an industry where I always had found it easy to switch employers so plan B was just to go back to what I was doing. Plan B was implemented quickly, as was the realisation that I knew next to nothing about money management, position sizing and my own trader’s psychology.

So the beginner’s cycle continued; reading and searching for quality educator(s) to assist with my journey. It was from addressing these areas of weakness that I became more interested in stock market trading systems; computerised systems that once coded into the software would remove much of the discretionary input from a trader. It was soon after this, and several years ago now, that I moved back to the Sunshine Coast and came across Nick Radge and The Chartist.

I had one-on-one consulting with Nick and then becoming a subscriber to The Chartist. I was confident that I had found a mentor and educator that actually walked the walk. The information contained within The Chartist, including the resource section which contains many nuggets of gold, has proved invaluable. During my time as a subscriber of The Chartist, I also began studying in an effort to finally remove myself from the industry in which I was still employed. I had accepted long ago that I needed to maintain employment while my trading account grew and targeted the finance industry as being a logical step. Anything to do with trading would be a bonus.

Someone once told me to be open to potential opportunities coming from less obvious places – i.e. look and think outside the square. This concept was the catalyst for me joining The Chartist. So at the ripe age of forty-something I have been fortunate enough to change careers and also add another element to my trading journey. For this opportunity, I am eternally grateful to Nick and Trish Radge. Creating change is much like trading. It requires a plan, tenacity, discipline, dedication, open mindedness, sacrifice and support. My support comes from my wife who has never wavered in her belief that change is both possible and inevitable.

Craig Fisher joined The Chartist in 2010. Craig is our Portfolio Analyst responsible for the ASX Power Setups, Global Power Setups & Growth Portfolio. Craig was mentored by Nick Radge over several years. Nick recognized Craig’s skills in technical analysis and computerised trading systems and coding. Upon completing a Diploma of Business and then part way through a Diploma of Financial Services, Craig mentioned to Nick and I that he was considering a career change. It is rare to find someone in their mid-40’s who has the tenacity to undergo a complete career change. Recognising and admiring this in Craig, we were quick to offer him a position with The Chartist. Craig is now a valuable part of our team. – Trish Radge